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March 19, 2017 NewDay Praise Worship - 9:50 a.m.
The Difficult Sayings Rev. Elizabeth Gilbert Matthew 5:17-48
Life is easy when we know the rules and understand what’s expected of us. Clearly defined tasks at work make for easier success. IKEA furniture goes together smoothly with the clear instructions provided. House rules about chores, bedtimes, and schedules make life together less stressful. But too many rules feels oppressive. Not enough clarity about what’s expected, though, makes it difficult to complete tasks or live well together. What about our life as followers of Jesus? What are the expectations? Are there rules and boundaries for our behavior? In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus gives an extended teaching about the rules of life with him. In this section, often called ‘The Difficult Sayings’ (Matthew 5:17-48), Jesus takes the commonly understood rules for faithful living and turns them upside down, pointing out that his followers both follow these rules and live beyond them. In the upside down kingdom of God, rules are not about what to do or not do, they are about who guides what we do or don’t do. In the upside down kingdom of God, Jesus is the rule.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult[d] a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:17-48 (NRSV)
W
e are so glad to welcome you to worship this morning!
If you are new to PUMC, you are invited to stop by the Welcome Center located in the south lobby. A PUMC member is there to answer your questions, and we have a gift for you, too! In Clayton Hall (north end of building) you’ll find refreshments and a place to chat and meet people. Please make yourself at home.
Lenten Choral Evensong For the first time (ever!), PUMC will offer a community concert and worship experience called “Choral Evensong” tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. All are invited, and you may especially wish to invite a friend from the community – from outside of the PUMC family – to join as your guest. But what is Choral Evensong? What should you expect? First, arrive 10 minutes early to find your seat in the sanctuary and enjoy an especially gorgeous pipe organ prelude. Then you will experience a mix of choral music, congregational hymn
singing, scripture, and prayers for the community – all in a setting of reverence, reflection and with an emphasis on beauty. Candlelight. Music enveloping your mind and soul. As part of the PUMC Concert Series which was launched last fall, Choral Evensong is offered to the PUMC congregation and to the entire community as we seek to build bridges with all persons through music. There are no tickets, and the event is free. Include this special musical experience in the middle of your Lenten season.
Th3rd Sunday Lunch Everyone is invited to the Th3rd Sunday Lunch this Sunday. Lunch is served after 11:10 Classic Worship (about 12:15 p.m.) in Clayton Hall. If you are able, please bring a dish to share and join others for food, fellowship, and fun! Tea and lemonade will be provided for everyone and dishes and silverware will be used from the PUMC kitchen.
Today and next Sunday, March 26, you can be a life saver! Contribute ten or more dollars at the Imagine No Malaria display in the Main Lobby this morning. One bed net (ten dollars each) can save the lives of five or six persons in one family sleeping under it each night. Malaria is a completely preventable disease, if the mosquitoes that carry it are prevented from biting. Thank you for purchasing a net today and for being a life saver!
UMCOR Sunday March 26. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) meets the needs of persons around the world following physical devestation of all kinds, such as hurricanes and earthquakes. UMCOR is known as a leader among world aid organizations. It is funded by the donations of generous United Methodists near and far. When a financial gift is given to UMCOR, 100% of that gift goes to directly aid people in need. On UMCOR Sunday, March 26, (formerly known as One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday) United Methodist Churches receive a special offering to underwrite the administrative costs of UMCOR so that the entirety of all gifts to any disaster or crisis help people in need. Next Sunday you will find a special envelope in your Worship Folder to receive gifts to UMCOR Sunday. Of course, you can always give safely and easily online at pumc. org. Designate your gift for “Other: UMCOR Sunday.� Thank you for your generosity.
PRAISE & PRAYER
PUMC VITAL SIGNS GIVING MAR. 12, 2017: TOTAL YTD 2017: TOTAL YTD 2016:
Known in the hospital this week: Alice Buchanan Harriet Muston
$19,229 $235,189 $226,444
ATTENDANCE MAR. 12, 2017: PREVIOUS 52 WK AVG:
398 440
IN SERVICE TO PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THIS CONGREGATION LAST WEEK: 29
Ways to Give Give in person in worship on Sunday morning. IN-PERSON
Online at pumc.org ONLINEor via SecureGive onSECURE your mobile ACH device.
ONLINE
Phone BrendaAUTOMATED Barnett in BANK DRAFT the Church Office to set up, 317.839.2319.
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Give through the Plainfield UMC App. Get the app on your mobile device at pumc.link/ getapp
Hospitality Volunteers include: Tom & Dolly Hilligoss, Ben & Justin Laver, Connie & Mary Raver, Leanne & Brian Tam, Janet Gouldsmith, Mark Hossler, Shelby Williamson, Gerald & Roberta Rhodes, Ryan Gadberry, Christie Sinclair, Joel Wesley, Paul Schreiner, Tom Wiltrout, Ted Underwood, Ray Shannon, Mike Woodward, Kim Lease, Scott Slavens, Matt Kirchoff, Dan Bigelow, Jerry Schultz, Leanne Tam, Matt Cochran, Kelly Denman, Kay Sprinkle, Mike and Laurie Rohrer Acolytes: 8:30 a.m.
Max Ament Gabriella Layman
Liturgist: 8:30 a.m. 9:50 a.m. 11:10 a.m.
David Korty Tamara Miller Kimberly Meyer
Infant/Toddler Room this Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Kathy Everman 9:50 a.m. Laura Hossler 11:10 a.m. Laura Hossler
ACH
AUTOMATED BANK DRAFT
LAST SATURDAY LUNCH You are invited on Saturday, March 25, for a nourishing lunch and some great fellowship. Lunch is provided by members of PUMC. This is a free meal to all the community served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Clayton Hall. Please enter through Door 14.
The Plainfield UMC App Available in the App Stores Download today at
pumc.link/getapp
THIS WEEK Sunday, March 19 8:30 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Bible Explorers Worship/ Grades K-5 (100) 9:45 a.m. Youth Worship/ Grades 6-12 (200) 9:50 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 9:50 a.m. NewDay Praise Worship (A) 11:10 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 11:10 a.m. Small Group (K) 12:15 p.m. Th3rd Sunday Fellowship Lunch (CH) 12:30 p.m. Jesus In the Gospels - Shannen Shortt (K) 1:30 p.m. Disciple III Bible Study - Tom Iles (L) 6:00 p.m. Lenten Choral Evensong (S) Monday, March 20 12:00 p.m. Homeless Outreach Food Preparation (Ki) 5:00 p.m. Homeless Outreach Food Delivery (O) 5:15 p.m. JOY Bells - a beginning bell choir (B) 6:00 p.m. Praise Bells - an intermediate bell choir (B) 7:00 p.m. Chancel Bell Choir (B) Tuesday, March 21 8:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Prayer Group (L) 9:00 a.m. Nine on Tuesday (Y) 6:00 p.m. Ad Hoc Committee on Special Projects (L) 6:00 p.m. Cub Scout Blue & Gold Banquet, Pack 399 (CH) 7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting (K) 7:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry - Peer Supervision (213) 7:00 p.m. Missions Committee Meeting - note date change (W) Wednesday, March 22 1:30 p.m. Knit For Kids Mission Project (K) 3:00 p.m. More Than Conquerors (Y) 6:00 p.m. Connection Point High School Youth Bible Study (O) 6:00 p.m. Weekday Children’s Ministry Pre-K Mom’s Night (CH)
Locations noted on Calendar (A) (B) (CH) (FP) (K) (KI)
Clayton Hall Worship Annex Bell Choir Room Clayton Hall Fire Pit Koinonia Room Kitchen
(L) Library (ML) Main Lobby (MR) Music Room (O) Off Site (S) Sanctuary
• Imagine No Malaria • Choir
Thursday, March 23 9:00 a.m. Bible Study with Pastor Ron Mercer (K) 6:30 p.m. NewDay Praise Team Rehearsal (A) 7:00 p.m. Margaret Wielenberg’s Yoga Class (205) 7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal (S) Friday, March 24 9:45 a.m. Friday Morning Bible Study (K) Saturday, March 25 8:00 a.m. Kairos Training (CH) 9:00 a.m. Mission Sewing Group (K) 11:30 a.m. Last Saturday Lunch (CH) Sunday, March 26 8:30 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages 9:45 a.m. Bible Explorers Worship/ Grades K-5 (100) 9:45 a.m. Youth Worship/ Grades 6-12 (200) 9:50 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 9:50 a.m. NewDay Praise Worship (A) 11:10 a.m. Classic Worship (S) 11:10 a.m. Small Group (K) 12:30 p.m. Jesus In the Gospels - Shannen Shortt (K) 1:30 p.m. Disciple III Bible Study - Tom Iles (L)
The Plainfield UMC App Available in the App Stores Download today at
pumc.link/getapp
(TBD) (W) (WW) (Y) (#)
To Be Determined Wesley Room Wesley Woods Youth Rooms (Upstairs) Room Number
PUMC Staff: Charlie Wilfong Senior Pastor Elizabeth Gilbert Associate Pastor Ken Loudenback Associate Pastor Bob Preusch Pastor of Youth Ministries Amanda Norton Director of Children’s Ministries Michael Pettry Director of Music Jaime Carini Organ Scholar Michael Norton NewDay Praise Worship Leader Oma Buckner Bell Choir Director Brent Miller Office Manager Eiric Shriner Communications Brenda Barnett Financial Administrator Sigrid Schuld Weekday Children’s Director Sandy Fansler Kids Connection Director Steve Manning Facility Manager Bonnie Walden Custodian/Housekeeper Brooks Wagler Night Custodian Contact staff members through the church office at 317.839.2319 or by email. (first initial, last name@pumc.org) (Example: cwilfong@pumc.org)
Fill out your connection card online. Scan the code above or go to pumc.link/connect
The deadline to have information included in this weekly folder is Tuesday, 9 a.m. Please deliver to the church office or to eshriner@pumc.org.
AVAILABLE TO YOU Thank you for spending time at Plainfield United Methodist Church today! We hope that you enjoyed worship and were able to experience God’s presence in this place. Please stop by the Welcome Center (left out of the sanctuary) to talk with a PUMC member, learn more about PUMC, and receive a free gift. For those with children: The children’s programs of PUMC are well supervised and offer warm, caring, and fun atmospheres. Care for infants and toddlers is in room 15 from 8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. every Sunday. Sunday school class for children age 3 - Pre-K is 9:45 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. in room 20. The Sunday morning children’s program “Bible Explorers” (Grades K-5) begins at 9:50 in the south hallway. Classrooms are marked. Children arriving 9:30-9:50 a.m. may go to room 107 (Gathering Place) for worship and music before class. During all worship services in the sanctuary, activity bags for children are available from the ushers. Sunday Worship Hours: 8:30, 9:50 & 11:10 a.m. - Classic 9:50 a.m. - NewDay Praise Sunday School Hour: 9:45 a.m. Classes for all ages Weekday Children’s Programs: PUMC offers weekday children’s programs for ages 12 months—age 5. Please pick up a brochure from the rack near the Welcome Center or email Director Sigrid Schuld at sschuld@pumc.org. Before & After School Program: For children in Grades K-5 from 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information, email Director Sandy Fansler at kidsconnection@pumc.org. Student Ministry Programs: Middle and High School students will find a worship experience led by Youth Pastor Bob Preusch and the student worship team at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday upstairs in room 200. Adult Small Group Life: Learn more about the many adult small groups at PUMC by picking up a brochure from the information rack in the south lobby. Spiritual Support and Encouragement: Stephen Ministers are church members trained to be confidential, listening, prayerful encouragers to anyone needing extra support for life’s challenges. Please contact a Stephen Minister by phoning the church office.